Graduations set for Catholic high schools in archdiocese

Cardinal Ritter Jr./Sr. High school seniors process into the school to take part in commencement exercises on May 29, 2015. The Indianapolis West Deanery high school will graduate 124 seniors this year during its graduation ceremony on June 3 at the school. (Submitted photo)

By John Shaughnessy

As students prepare to graduate this spring at Catholic high schools across the archdiocese, superintendent of Catholic schools Gina Fleming offered congratulations and a prayer for them.

“Congratulations to each of our graduates in the Class of 2016,” she said. “Know that Archbishop [Joseph W.] Tobin and all of us in the Office of Catholic Schools will continue to pray for you as you pursue your own vocations. And we look forward to celebrating the many achievements and successes that are in store for you in the future.

“Use what you have learned, continue to rely on God, and know that you have the Catholic Church with you through it all.”

Fleming also thanked all the people who have provided the high school seniors with a strong, Christ-centered foundation for continuing their spiritual, intellectual and social growth into the future.

“Thanks to the incredible dedication of our religious leaders, Catholic educators and school leaders, as well as the commitment of parents, benefactors and partners in Catholic education, our youth have extraordinary opportunities that lie ahead,” Fleming noted.

“What young people learn and experience not only in our classrooms, but at retreats, on stages and across athletic fields will remain with them as they enter the work force or enjoy college life.”

Fleming is among the many archdiocesan representatives who will be attending graduations at the 12 Catholic high schools—seven archdiocesan and five private—in the archdiocese. Here is a listing of graduation-related information for these schools.

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Bishop Chatard High School in Indianapolis

• Graduating class of 183 seniors.
• The Baccalaureate Mass will be at 6:30 p.m. on May 19 at the school.
• The graduation ceremony will be at 6:30 p.m. on May 20 at the school.
• The class valedictorian is:
  • Mason Atha, son of John and Mary Atha of St. Maria Goretti Parish in Westfield, Ind., in the Lafayette Diocese.
• The class salutatorian is:
  • Timothy Good, son of Jeffrey and Judy Good of St. Matthew the Apostle Parish in Indianapolis.
• The archdiocese will be represented at the graduation by Msgr. William F. Stumpf, vicar general.

Brebeuf Jesuit Preparatory School in Indianapolis

• Graduating class of 175 seniors.
• The Baccalaureate Mass will be at 10:30 a.m. on June 5 at the school.
• The graduation ceremony will be at 4:30 p.m. on June 5 at Clowes Memorial Hall at Butler University in Indianapolis.
• The archdiocese will be represented at the graduation by Ben Potts, assistant superintendent of Catholic schools.

Cardinal Ritter Jr./Sr. High School

• Graduating class of 124 seniors.
• The Baccalaureate Mass will be at 7 p.m. on June 2 at St. Christopher Church in Indianapolis.
• The graduation ceremony will be at 7 p.m. on June 3 at the school.
• The class valedictorian is:
  • Emma Houston, daughter of Brad and Jill Houston of St. Malachy Parish in Brownsburg.
• The salutatorian is:
  • Nico Ferri, son of Thomas and Lisa Ferri of St. Monica Parish in Indianapolis.
• The archdiocese will be represented at the graduation by Archbishop Joseph W. Tobin.

Cathedral High School in Indianapolis

• Graduating class of 325 seniors.
• The Baccalaureate Mass will be at 10 a.m. on May 21 at the school.
• The graduation ceremony will be at 2 p.m. on May 22 at Clowes Memorial Hall at Butler University in Indianapolis.
• There are 15 class valedictorians:
  • Jennifer Barrett, daughter of Richard and Deborah Barrett of Holy Spirit Parish in Indianapolis.
  • Christopher Bessler, son of Jerome Bessler and Astra Liepa of St. Malachy Parish in Brownsburg.
  • Gabriel DeSanto, son of John and Elizabeth DeSanto of St. Simon the Apostle Parish in Indianapolis.
  • Ellen Flood, daughter of Catherine and Michael Flood of St. Malachy Parish.
  • Nathan Gray, son of Todd and Christina Gray of St. Pius X Parish in Indianapolis.
  • Patrick Gresham, son of David Gresham.
  • Teresa Heckman, daughter of Tom and Carol Heckman of St. Simon the Apostle Parish.
  • MacKenzie Isaac, daughter of Steven and Michelle Isaac.
  • David Kronenberger, son of William and Daryce Kronenberger of Holy Spirit at Geist Parish in Fishers, Ind., in the Lafayette Diocese.
  • Noah Rench, son of Ruth and Daniel Rench of St. Simon the Apostle Parish.
  • Michael Rushka, son of John and Karen Rushka of St. Barnabas Parish in Indianapolis.
  • Steven Salvas, son of Daniel Salvas and Colleen Madden of St. Matthew the Apostle Parish in Indianapolis.
  • Gates Schneider, daughter of Barry and Verna Schneider of St. Malachy Parish.
  • Kathryn Stapleton, daughter of Joseph and Susan Stapleton of St. Matthew the Apostle Parish.
  • Julia White, daughter of Timothy and Kathleen White of St. Michael the Archangel Parish in Indianapolis.
• The archdiocese will be represented at the graduation by Annette “Mickey” Lentz, chancellor.

Father Michael Shawe Memorial Jr./Sr. High School in Madison

• Graduating class of 27 seniors.
• The Baccalaureate Mass will be at 7 p.m. on June 3 at the school.
• The graduation ceremony will be at 2 p.m. on June 5 at the school.
• Three students, who are all members of Prince of Peace Parish in Madison, are in contention for valedictorian and salutatorian honors as the school year draws to a close:
  • McKay Burdette, the daughter of Gary and Colleen Burdette.
  • Jesse Fitton, the son of Paul and Nancy Fitton.
  • Gregory Maas, the son of Gary and Julie Maas.
• The archdiocese will be represented at the graduation by Lentz.

Father Thomas Scecina Memorial High School in Indianapolis

• Graduating class of 96 students.
• The Baccalaureate Mass will be at 7:30 p.m. on May 26 at St. Therese of the Infant Jesus (Little Flower) Church in Indianapolis.
• The graduation ceremony will be at 7 p.m. on May 27 at the school.
• The class valedictorian is:
  • Alexandra Rebein, daughter of Robert Rebein and Alyssa Chase of Our Lady of Lourdes Parish in Indianapolis.
• There are three class salutatorians:
  • Corinne Maue, daughter of Ross and Therese Maue of Our Lady of Lourdes Parish.
  • Jenna Nosek, daughter of Christopher and Teresa Nosek of St. Thomas the Apostle Parish in Fortville.
  • Lea Thompson, daughter of Paula and Michael Byrd.
• The archdiocese will be represented at the graduation by Gina Fleming, superintendent of Catholic schools.

Lumen Christi High School in Indianapolis

• Graduating class of four seniors.
• The Baccalaureate Mass will at 5:45 p.m. on May 19 at Our Lady of the Most Holy Rosary Church in Indianapolis. The graduation ceremony will immediately follow the Baccalaureate Mass in the church.
• Oldenburg Academy of the Immaculate Conception in Oldenburg
• Graduating class of 52 seniors.
• The graduation ceremony will be at 1 p.m. on June 5 at the Chapel of the Sisters of St. Francis in Oldenburg.
• Five students are in contention for valedictorian and salutatorian honors as the school year draws to a close:
  • Tanner Alley, the son of Ron and Julie Alley of St. Mary of the Immaculate Conception Parish in Aurora.
  • Grace Burkhart, daughter of Darren and Tricia Burkhart.
  • Erica Geers, daughter of Dr. Jon and Jenny Geers of St. Louis Parish in Batesville.
  • Meghan Gray, daughter of Steve Gray and Laurie Fisher of St. Mary of the Immaculate Conception Parish.
  • Matt Moorman, son of Gary and Mary Moorman of St. Louis Parish.
• The archdiocese will be represented by Rob Rash, assistant superintendent of Catholic schools, during a Senior Mass and Awards Day luncheon at the school on May 20.

Our Lady of Providence Jr./Sr. High School in Clarksville

• Graduating class of 99 seniors.
• The Baccalaureate Mass will be at 7 p.m. on May 27 at Our Lady of Perpetual Help Church in New Albany.
• The graduation ceremony will be at 5 p.m. on May 29 at the school.
• The class valedictorians are:
  • Ryan Fansler, son of Eric and Kellie Fansler of Holy Family Parish in New Albany.
  • Audrey Shannon, daughter of Steve and Rosie Shannon of Our Lady of Perpetual Help Parish in New Albany.
• The class salutatorian is:
  • Anna Wingate, daughter of William and Martha Wingate of St. Mary Parish in Lanesville.
• The archdiocese will be represented at the graduation by Potts.

Providence Cristo Rey High School in Indianapolis

• Graduating class of 40 seniors.
• The graduation ceremony will be at 7 p.m. on May 26 at Marian University in Indianapolis.
• The class valedictorian is:
  • Keyara Warren, daughter of Aina Jackson.
• The class salutatorians are:
  • Eunajee Wilcher, daughter of Eugene Wilcher and Tanika McNeal.
  • Sa’Mone Ray, daughter of Kelly Ray and Kimberly Alexander.
• The archdiocese will be represented at the graduation by Mary McCoy, assistant superintendent of Catholic schools.

Roncalli High School in Indianapolis

• Graduating class of 298 seniors.
• The Baccalaureate Mass will be at 6 p.m. on May 27 at the school.
• The graduation ceremony will be at 9 a.m. on May 28 at the school.
• The class valedictorian is:
  • Hannah Fikes, the daughter of Ken and Laura Fikes of St. Barnabas Parish in Indianapolis.
• The class salutatorian is:
  • Emily Barron, the daughter of Drs. Michael and Beth Barron of St. Barnabas Parish.
• The archdiocese will be represented at the graduation by Msgr. Stumpf.

Seton Catholic Jr./Sr. High School in Richmond

• Graduating class of 21 seniors.
• The Baccalaureate Mass will be at 6 p.m. on May 27 in St. Andrew Church in Richmond.
• The graduation ceremony will be at 2 p.m. on May 29 at the school.
• The class valedictorian is:
  • Megan Schroeder, daughter of Charles and Terri Schroeder of St. Andrew Parish in Richmond.
• The class salutatorian is:
  • Maria Stiens, daughter of Greg and Julie Stiens of St. Andrew Parish.
• The archdiocese will be represented at the graduation by Fleming.